Authorities identify 30-year-old San Diego man killed near Pala

PALA - Authorities today identified a 30-year-old San Diego man killed on a North County highway near Pala in a head-on collision that left three people seriously injured.

Brian Joseph Owen of Pacific Beach was driving a 2011 Toyota Corolla on westbound state Route 76 when he failed to negotiate a turn about a mile west of Pala Mission Road, crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a 2008 Mitsubishi Galant shortly after 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

Owen was unrestrained and died at the scene, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office and the California Highway Patrol.

The 50-year-old San Jacinto woman who had been driving the Gallant was transported to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido along with her passengers, a 42-year-old man and 56-year-old woman. The three, all of whom had been wearing seat belts, suffered severe injuries, CHP Officer Mike Martinez said.

The collision prompted the closure of the roadway until shortly before 6 a.m. Wednesday.